title: Tracheal pseudo-tumor caused by herpes simplex virus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Herpes simplex virus (HSV) has been shown to cause respiratory tract infections mostly in severely immunocompromised patients. Endobronchial tumor-like lesions have been described very rarely as HSV pulmonary manifestations in critically ill patients or in immunosuppressed individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  This case study describes a 75-yr-old male who presented with persistent hoarseness. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy showed marked mucosal thickening protruding in mid and distal trachea causing stenosis. Biopsy specimens demonstrated cytopathological changes consistent with HSV type 1 and 2 infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of HSV presenting as an endotracheal tumor in an immunocompetent person.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumonology, General Army Hospital of Athens, 158 Mesogion & Katehaki Avenue, 115 25 Athens, Greece. skatsenos@yahoo.gr.
authors.forename: Stamatis
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katsenos
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sampaziotis
authors.forename: Stavros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Archondakis